COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The field of architects who have expressed an interest in designing the new Branch County Jail has dropped to four.
Branch County Administrator Bud Norman told the Board of Commissioners during their work session Thursday that Hooker DeJong has dropped out because their architect has decided to retire. According to Norman, the firm felt it would not be right to come before Commissioners while they were searching for a new architect.
Still in the running are the firms of Byce and Associates, BKV Group, Tower Pinkster, and Elevatus.
Commissioners are conducting interviews with representative of those firms Thursday. A final decision is scheduled to be made next Tuesday.
It’s still hoped ground for the new jail can be broken in the spring with an opening in the summer of 2020. The facility is being made possible after Branch County voters approved a millage request last August.
